B14 World Championship at Circolo vela Torbole, Lake Garda, Italy - Day 1
by Mark Barnes 18 Jul 2023 08:35 BST
17-21 July 2023
Day 1 and many still in recovery from the five race day (one abandoned) of day three of the Euros. Temperatures were in the upper 30s and felt like you were melting in the dinghy park. Scenery as ever impressive. Atmosphere in the dinghy park great. Top teams helping their two buddy teams with setups prior to launching.
The fleet would be sailing on the northern of the two courses, as sharing the venue with the Musto Skiffs. The question is who would have bragging rights with regard to the Ashes? (Top 3 teams from each hemisphere.)
Following on from the Euros the benchmark had been set. Harken (Nick Craig/Tobytastic) had a point to prove as reigning World Champions.
Racing got underway on time in 14 – 16 knots funnelling up the lake. Out of the blocks it was Harken that got the jump out of the mid line and headed for the cliffs, chased by the main protagonists Wonky Donkey (Mark Watts/Matt Johnson), AUS 375 (Craig Garmston/Paul Fleming) and a pack of 6-7 close followers. In that group were Wonkey Donkey, AUS 375 and Seavolution (Mark Barnes/Simon Reynolds). As the race progressed Harken held a controlling lead with AUS 375 working its way through the fleet. After two Laps Harken won from Wonky Donkey and AUS 375.
Race 2 saw a building breeze with the fleet this time heading off for a 3 lapper. Harken again took the lead and was chased by The Nude (Richie Reynolds/Lissa Macmillan) and Asbo 2 (Crispin Taylor/Guy Harrell) with the big guns further back in pursuit. First to trip up was Seavolution during a gybe hoist on lap one, where Barnsie got the mainsheet wrapped around his foot resulting in a faceplant mid-gybe in 4th. Once they managed to get up, they would chase down the fleet but not get back to their previous position, so obtaining a bigger counter, but after busting a toe strap in the Euros and managing an 8th, do not write them off.
Back to the race and AUS 375 was closing in on Harken and passing the front chasers with Wonky Donkey also in pursuit. Over the three laps, we saw several swimmers and some very close racing amongst the mid to back fleet. At the end, it would be AUS 375, followed by AUS 378 (Leigh Dunston/Paul Newman) coming home 3rd.
So back to the Ashes. Europe is 1, 4, 6, with Australia 2, 3, 5. Europe needs to get back on track and take it to the Aussies on day 2. It ain't over till the fat lady sings.
In the evening we had the opening ceremony, together with an Australian presentation for the 2024/25 worlds and then the AGM.
Results after Day 1:
| Pos | Nat | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | Pts |
|---|
| 1° | GBR | 796 | Nick Craig Craig | Tobytastic Lewis | Burghfield Frensham Lee on Solent | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2° | AUS | 375 | Craig Garmston | Paul Fleming | McCYC / SBSC | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 3° | AUS | 378 | Leigh Dunstan | Paul Newman | Safety Beach Sailing Club | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| 4° | GBR | 797 | Mark Watts | Matt Johnson | Weston SC | 2 | 6 | 8 |
| 5° | AUS | 800 | Richie Reynolds | Lissa McMillan | Woollahra Sailing Club | 7 | 4 | 11 |
| 6° | GBR | 789 | Crispin Taylor | Guy Harril | Starcross YC | 6 | 5 | 11 |
| 7° | GBR | 799 | Mark Barnes | Simon Reynolds | Whitstable Yacht Club | 5 | 8 | 13 |
| 8° | GBR | 788 | Tony Blackmore | Jamie Dawson | Starcross YC | 10 | 7 | 17 |
| 9° | GBR | 756 | Guy Raynes | Paul Roberst | Weston | 8 | 10 | 18 |
| 10° | AUS | 781 | Tristan Williams | Hugo Briggs | McCrae Yacht Club | 9 | 13 | 22 |
| 11° | GBR | 795 | Amir Shamsuddin | Nick Pye | King George SC | 11 | 15 | 26 |
| 12° | AUS | 156 | Ewan Campbell | Tori Campbell | Safety Beach Sailing Club | 12 | 14 | 26 |
| 13° | AUS | 357 | Anthony House | Luis Miranda | Woollahra Sailing Club | 13 | 16 | 29 |
| 14° | GBR | 762 | Russ Gibbs | Lucy Loughton | Starcross Yacht Club | UFD | 9 | 30 |
| 15° | GBR | 786 | Geraldine Fermor | Leaky Fermor | Sinic Club | 18 | 12 | 30 |
| 16° | GBR | 769 | Gary Stuart | Kev Hall | Northampton sailing Club | 14 | 17 | 31 |
| 17° | AUS | 78 | Joey Randall | Louis Chapman | McCrae Yacht Club | DNC | 11 | 32 |
| 18° | FRA | 760 | Thierry Llonch | Duflos Mickeal | Cercle de voile de Castelnaudary | 15 | DNC | 36 |
| 19° | GBR | 784 | Amy Roberts | David Roberts | Royale Torbay Yacht Club | 16 | DNC | 37 |
| 20° | GER | 768 | Christian Wilms | Daniela Alt | Segel Club Graben‑Neudorf | 17 | DNC | 38 |
Tuesday should prove to be a full-on day with two 3-lap races.
More great friendships, photos and experiences being found, especially amongst the younger sailors.
Tomorrow we hope for a cooler day and some great panoramic sailing photos of a truly great venue and event.
More information and the latest results can be found on the Circolo vela Torbole website here.